Vestibule diaphragm



Sept. 18; 1951 R. F. MlHALYl 2,568,684

VESTIBULE DIAPHRAGM Filed Oct. 24. 1947 FIG.2.

RICHARD F. MIHALYJ E INVENTOR ATTORN Patented Sept. 18, 1951 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE- f.

VESTIBULE DIAPHRAGM Richard F. Mihalyi, Rochester, N. Y.

Application October 24, 1947, Serial No. 781,789 '11 Claims. (01.105-18) The present invention relates to vestibule diaphragms primarilydesigned for use in connection with trains, and more particularly tominiature or toy trains. I I

' The present invention has as its principal object a vestibulediaphragm in which the parts are yieldably held in assembled relation,yet may move separately and independently to conform to the movement ofthe train.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an arrangementby which the frame members are retained in relative spaced relation, yetare freeto move separately and independently.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of anarrangementfor operatively connecting the frame members in assembled relation, yetpermitting the frame members to separately and independently pivot aboutvertical axes. I

I And another object of the invention is the provision of a vestibulediaphragm construction which is simple, rugged, and highly effective inuse.

To these and other ends,-the invention resides in certain improvementsand combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the endof the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of two miniature railroad cars or coachesconnected by a pair of vestibule diaphragms constructed in accordancewith the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a vestibule-diaphragm constructed inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

' Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the structure illustratedFig. 2, and taken substantially on line 3-3 thereof, showing thearrangement of the various parts;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through a modified form of vestibulediaphragm;

' Fig. 5 is a view similar to Figs. 8 and 4 and taken through thepreferred form of vestibule diaphragm construction;

I 'Fig. 6 is a partial sectional view through another form of vestibulediaphragm; I I

Fig. 7 is an end view of the vestibule diaphragm, on a larger scale thanthe other views, showing the end plate and the connecting lugs by whichtwo adjacent diaphragms may be connected releasably in assembledrelation;

Fig. 8 is a partial vertical sectional view through a pair ofconnecteddiaphragms, showing the relation thereto of the connecting lugs;

Fig. 9 is a partial end view of one of the end members or plates of avestibule diaphragm, showing another form of connecting lug; and

Fig. 10 is a partial transverse sectional view through a pair ofabutting end members or plates of adjacent vestibule diaphragms, showingthe cooperating relation of a lug on one end member with the adjacentend member of another diaphragm to connect the diaphragms releasably;

Similar reference numerals throughout the various views indicate thesame parts.

The vestibule diaphragm of the present invention comprises end framemembers H and I2, and one or more intermediate members 13. These membersare all formed from fiat sheet material of suitable composition, and areof a contour best shown in Fig. 2. These members are also arranged inspaced parallel relation and are encased or enclosed by a flexiblemember such. for example, as a rubber tube M which is stretched over theframe members and the free ends adhesively or otherwise secured to theexposed faces l5 and I6 of the end members H and I2, as best shown inFigs. 3 to 6. This tube I4 is of a smaller size than the frame membersso that when encasing the latter, the tube is stretched to a larger sizeat the planes of the members, as shown in H, and then falls back to asmaller size between the frame members, as shown in Is, to cooperatewith the frame members to provide a bellows-like structure.

This arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 5 in which the diaphragm is madeup of only the frame members I I, I2, and I3 and the flexible tube 14.This embodiment allows the maximum freedom of individual movement of theframe members in all directions, namely: toward or away from each other,relative vertical or horizontal movement, as well as pivoting movement.In this embodiment, the tube l4 serves to retain the frame members inassembled spaced relation, yet permits the frame members to separatelyand independently move for purposes to be later described.

Fig. 4 shows a slightly modified arrangement in which small flexiblerubber spacers 2B are positioned between the frame members. Two suchspacers are provided between each pair of frame "members. These pair ofspacers are vertically aligned and are positioned substantially on thevertical center line of the diaphragm, such a line being indicated in3-3 of Fig. 2. The engagement of the frame member 3 with the spacersalong such a line provides parallel vertical axes about which the framemembers may pivot relative to each other. Like the structure shown inFig. 5, that shown in Fig. 4 permits some vertical movement as well as asmall amount of movement at the frame members toward each other. Thusthe embodiment shown in Fig. 4 differs from that shown in Fig. 5 only inlimiting the movement of the frame members toward each other, by reason.of the: spacers In the embodiment shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 6,.

the frame members, like those shown in Figs. 4"" and 5, may moverelatively vertically ancharetiirrdependently and individually movableabout the central vertical axis (line 3-3 Fig; 2*).

movement of the frame members toward each other is restricted. To securethis result', theem-- bodiment shown in Figs. 2 and 3 provides smallballs; H201? metal or other: rigid. material posix tionedrbetweernthefrarnamenrbersrassbesashown Theseballs axepreterablyihollowandzaresconnected'. by short links; 22;. the ends-5. 23= of; Which,. inside:thenballs; are: upset. .asz shown in Fig. .3; to; retain. the.b'a'lls.'...in;v proper assembled; relatiom In fact these balls: and;connecting; linksaare .pant'ofsthe welkknown' pulL-chainrusedl for;turningzcnzelectriclight fixturess. In order: toizretainqthe ballszinrposition, theframe. members are provided with vertically alignedrrholessor. apertures: 25: in: which; theballs are partially recessed, the.openings. 2am the: center frame [*3 also'providing a. passage. for. the:connecting. link 22, allvas shown: in Fig. 3. Thus; in the-.embodi-=ment. shown: irr Figs.2- and= 3=the tube' 14. encases the. frame.members. and .yieldably; connects; the.- latter to retain-them inassembled relation: The. tube permits some:relative-vertical movement.and free independent pivoting; movement, the frames: pivoting: one theballs which provide par-- allel'. vertical= axesrabout which theframeunem bers may independentlypivot or'roclrfora-pure poseto'. belater described=. The balls however,v effectively prevent the framemembers: from move ing'towards each other along?thecent-ralsverticallinesrof. the balls,- as? will: be apparent. fromtheinspectionof Fig 2;

In=Fig.-.G,-..the;frame members arle heldeinspaced relations by means.of lugsor" fmgers fi ionmedfrom and bent. out-of. planes ofgcertain-ofthe.- fr-ame members; Theselugs extend across a) space.- betweenthemembers-andthe. free ends-.251 thereof. engage. the. adjacent: frame.membersyas shown-in Fig. 6. v

The? above-described. vestibule; diaphragmr isadapted. to." beconnected. to. a: support such fon example, as a miniature railroad.car: 3!]... This diaphragm isthen releasably connected, in. a manner tobealaterrdescribedr to: a. similar dia phragm connected. to' anothercar: 36. so asrto. provides a flexible jointor connectiontherebetween,assin, regular: r.2 tilrOad-.-carsor coaches-. Inorder to protectthe-endseof the rubber tubing. LA secured to the faces: I 5.andt-l-lhofrthe frame.mem.- bers H and I2, the faces Hi; and; izfipreferablyhave secured thereto;- ini'any suitablerzandewaellknownmanner, additional; frame-members: on face plates 31-; see :Figs. 3tor 8, whichnre-thesame shape ascthe framermembers H. 12, and=l3e Thevarious framenmembersl-are preferably equal in height: to the-cars -30but have al-width consider. ably less than the cars, asclearly.illustratedrirr Fig: l... A-lsor-irr order; to ,morenearly,resemble-the vestibule diaphragm used; on. regular: railroads;-

However in the embodiment shown inlFigsaz, 3; andt6rther unattached endface plates are arranged in abutting relation, as shown in Fig. 8, toprovide a continuousunbroken flexible vestibule diaphragm between thetwo cars 30, as shown in Fig. 1. The twediaphragms are then releasablyconnected, imalma-nner. to. bepresently described, so that "they act, ineffect, as a single unitary structure.

Theseabutting end plates 3| are formed, in one embodiment, Figs. 7 and8, with axially-extending; vertically-offset. lugs.- or: fingers r,formed from the material of .thesplatesi 31 andpositioned along. theopposite -edges 34 of: theaperture; 3.2-, as clearly illustrated in Fig.7, the lugs-on the two abutting? plates: being offset, as shown: in.Fig. 7. When the twodiaphragmsare brought together, so that. the:adjacent plates 31] abut-the lugs 133:- of one end. plate"slide-inside-the/ aperture 32 on the other plate andzfrictionallyiengagathe- 0p! positez-edges: 3.4-thereof to releasably connect. the endplates, and. hence: the: two 'diaphragms, as indicated in Fig. 7.By-reasorr of: the frictionengagernent. of the lugs-with; the edges 34,the two end plates are held against lateral movementwhichgserveste-prevent relative lateral movement of the diaphragms; theadvantage of which: will be. apparent to those.in. the art Figs. g andl0-show another arrangement for locking, the two diaphragms in:assembled relation. To secure this result, the abuttin I end plates: 31.are. formed with bent-over lugs; 36 formed on the; edges. 34andpositioned similarly to the lugs. 3&- When-adg'acent diaphragms areto be connected, the abutting plates are brought togetherand.turnedrelative-to-eachothen about a horizontali axis to causethe bent-over.lugs of: one endplate. to. slip over: the edges-34so the adj acentend.plate 'and. engage the inner: surfaces 36 thereofiasshown irrFig. 10.Then by; areverse 3 movement the diaphragms are-. brought back intoaligned relation with. thelugs. 35.- in locking relation Thus. the. lugs35 serve to effectively lock the two... diaphragmsin assembledrelationand also hold the plates. and the diaphragms against relativelateralmovement 5 It will thusbeapparentfrom.the above descrip.-- tionthat the vestibule.diaphragmsrofzthe.present invention. provide aflexible connection: between the. two. carsl 3ll. Dueto. the flexibilityof the diaphragma.the-variousrmembersmay move ventically relative toeachother in casethe-adiacent sections. of thetrack-are notr intvertical alignment. The. diaphragms also; provide-a flexible connectionwhichtis desirable instarting orstopping: When the.*train-gOBS: around.a-cunve,-the diaphragm tubing is compressed omthe-insideof. the. curveand. stretched: on the -outside, -asris apparent. In .so.doingathervariousa irameamembers are.- caused.to pivotorrockseparatelyaand inclependentlvout ot-parallel-relation aboutseparate anddistinct.- parallel verticahaxes: Infthe arrangement shownin F-iga. 5the flexible; tube M; alone affordathe-pivofingaxis, whilein the stnuc-rtures shown in Fig s: 2.-and:3.-:the balls2 lr provide thepivots; andrin4s. an i 6v the rubber spacers:

and the lugs respectively support the frame members for the pivotingaction.

Thus the vestibule diaphragm of the present invention provides anarrangement for yieldably or resiliently connecting the frame members toretain the latter in assembled relation while maintaining the spacingbetween the members, yet allowing the members freedom of movement so asto conform to the movement of the adjacent cars to which they areattached to provide the necessary freedom of movement, yet providing astable connection between the two cars.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, it is tobe understood that the inventive idea may be carried out in a number ofways. This application is, therefore, not to be limited to the precisedetails described but .is intended to cover all variations andmodifications thereof falling within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A vestibule diaphragm for a miniature railroad car comprising aplurality of spaced frame members, and a flexible tube initially ofsmaller size than said members enclosing and connecting said members toretain the latter in assembled relation.

2. A vestibule diaphragm for a miniature rail road car comprising aplurality of spaced independent frame members, and a flexible tubeinitially of smaller size than said members to enclose and retain thelatter in spaced assembled relation, said tube being stretched to alarger size at the planes of said members and being smaller than saidmembers between the latter to provide a bellows-like structure.

3. A vestibule diaphragm for a miniature railroad car comprising aplurality of thin planar frame members, and a tube of flexible materialinitially of smaller size than said members, stretched over the edges ofsaid frames to connect the latter together yieldably and to maintain theframes in assembled relation, said frames serving to stretch said tubeto the size of said frames in the planes of the latter and connectingsaid frames to said tube for independent pivoting movement aboutparallel axes.

4. A vestibule diaphragm for a miniature railroad car comprising aplurality of spaced frame members of equal size, and a flexible tube ofsmaller size than said frame and stretched over and flexibly connectingthe latter, said tube being stretched to the size of said frames at theplanes thereof but being of smaller size than said frames between thelatter, said tube also serving to maintain said frames in spacedrelation, yet permitting said frames to move toward or away from eachother and to pivot individually about parallel axes.

5. A vestibule diaphragm for a miniature railroad car comprising aplurality of spaced frame members, a flexible member encasing andyieldably connecting said members, vertically aligned means positionedbetween said members to space the latter, and means for mounting saidframe members for separate and independent movement about parallelvertical axes passing through said spacing means.

6. A vestibule diaphragm for a miniature railroad car comprising aplurality of spaced frame members, a flexible member encasing andyieldably connecting said members, and vertically 6 aligned meanspositioned between said members to space the latter and to provide aplurality of vertical axes about which the frame may individually andseparately pivot.

7. A vestibule diaphragm for a miniature railroad car comprising aplurality of spaced flat frame members, vertically aligned ballspositioned between said members to space the latter, and a flexiblecasing enclosing said frame members to retain the latter in assembledrelation and cooperating with said balls to afford parallel verticalaxes about which the frame members may pivot relative to each other.

8. A vestibule diaphragm for a miniature railroad car comprising aplurality of spaced flat frame members, vertically aligned ballspositioned between said members to space the latter, a flexible casingenclosing said frame members to retain the latter in assembled relationand cooperating with said balls to afford parallel vertical axes aboutwhich the frame members may pivot relative to each other, and means onsaid members for retaining said balls in position between said members.

9. A vestibule diaphragm for a miniature railroad car comprising aplurality of spaced flat frame members, vertically aligned resilientspacers positioned between said members to space the latter but permitslight relative axial movement, said spacers affording vertical axesabout which the frame members may pivot independently and relative toeach other, and a flexible casing enclosing said members to retain thelatter and said spacers in assembled relation.

10. A vestibule diaphragm for a miniature railroad car comprising aplurality of spaced frame members, and a flexible tube initially ofsmaller size than said frame member stretched over the latter to retainsaid members in spaced assembled relation but affording flexibleconnections by which said members may pivot independently relative toeach other.

11. A vestibule diaphragm for a miniature railroad car comprising aplurality of independent frame members arranged in spaced relation, anda flexible tube initially of smaller size than said members stretchedover and encasing the latter to maintain said members in assembledrelation, said tube being stretched to the size of said members at theplanes thereof but being of a smaller size between said frames toprovide a bellows-like flexible connection between said members topermit the latter to move yieldably toward and away from each other andto afford pivot connections by which said members may pivotindependently relative to each other.

RICHARD F. MIHALYI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 49,227 Calthrop Aug. 8, 1865184,461 Cooper Nov. 21, 1876 455,427 Grifiin July 7, 1891 1,019,777Fowler Mar. 12, 1912 2,131,493 Thompson et a1. Sept. 27, 1938 2,324,173Porter July 13, 1943 2,354,045 Nystrom et a1. July 18, 1944 2,373,680Hawley Apr. 17, 1945 2,415,385 Dean et a1. Feb. 4, 1947

